FAQ's

Our Customers Said

Kathleen

This is just a short note to say thank you to everyone involved with our recent move from St.Albert, AB. to Clearwater, BC. The loading, in October, was accomplished with speed, care and plenty of good humour by Kendall and his crew.

FAQ’s about Moving My Home

The Estimate Process

When is it cheapest to Move?
Moving Companies are their busiest from May 15th – September 15th (aka Peak Season) and particularly so from the 15th of one month to the 6th of the next within the Peak Season mentioned above. As such, the cheapest time to move is in the Off Peak Season and from the 6th to the 15th of each month.How should I select which movers to get a free moving estimate from?
Any reputable Mover is listed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB); research any company you are thinking of getting an estimate from focusing on those with an A+ rating. The BBB lists all Movers in an alphabetical order and for years movers having been adding an A or A’s to their names to get to the front, watch for this and be careful. The Canadian Association of Movers is also an excellent resource of Select Moving Companies and the Movers on that list are held to a higher standard by this Association. Also ask your friends and co-workers for companies they have used in the past. Look for companies that are “Government Approved”.How soon before my move should I get my estimates?
If you are planning to move in the Peak Season 6-8 weeks is a good time to starting interviewing Movers. This allow you the time to research each company and make an enlighten decision. Book as early as possible to make sure you can get the Mover you want and the dates that you want.Valuation of my goods
It is important to understand what your goods are worth if you had to replace everything. This is a worst case scenario if there was an accident and everything was lost. Most companies work on $10.00 per pound of the total weight of the shipment (ie. 10,000 lbs x $10.00/lb. = $100,000.00). You have 2 types of Protection with any “Federally Regulated Mover”. Released Protection is the Minimum Liability any Federally Regulated Mover has to supply ranging between $0.30 - $0.60 per pound per article. If you have a TV worth $2,000.00 that weighs 100 lbs x $0.60/lb. = $60.00, obviously not enough to repair or replace it. The second choice you have is “Replacement Cost Protection”; the same 100 lb. TV worth $2,000.00 is replaced with one of like kind and quality.What will happen when I get an “In Home” Free Estimate?Go here for a free estimate

Preparing for Moving Day

When do I get possession of my new home?
Most Real Estate transactions take place at 12:00 (Noon). Many Clients have tried to move in on possession day and this can lead to delays and extra costs if you don’t get actual possession until later. We strongly recommend that you move in the day after possession if at all possible.Appliances
Many homes have washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. These items may need to be serviced prior to moving, especially in the winter months to prevent freezing, or, other damage. Speak to your Relocation Specialist about which items require servicing and is that your responsibility or the Movers.Honest assessment of your furniture condition
Take the time to look closely at your furniture. Look for wear and damage, it will remind you of when it happened, sometimes it will be a fond memory and other times less so. This will prepare you for when the inventory of your goods happens and the Driver reviews those areas with damage that are recorded on your inventory.

Packing

Can I do my own Packing?
Many Clients choose to pack their own goods, these cartons are known as PBO’s (Packed by Owner) and the moving company cannot take liability for improperly packed items. Do your homework and have the proper Packing Materials available to do the job properly. QHP Mackie Moving & Storage offers “Free Used Packing Materials” to our Clients.What happens if I pay the Mover to do the Packing?
Whether we are doing a Partial or Full Pack for you, the packing crew will arrive and put down floor runners within your home to protect against the flooring getting soiled. The Head Packer will introduce himself and his crew, then discuss which areas they can begin packing.
The Packing crew will probably work in more than one room at a time which improves our efficiency. If you are taking any items with you have them segregated from the rest of your belongings in a closet, room or in your vehicle and inform the crew of its location. Arrange items that you need as soon as you arrive at your home (Toilet paper, paper plates and towels, coffee machine etc.) and ask that they be packed in the “1st Unpack/Set-up Carton” for your immediate use. Any damaged glassware and china will be brought to your attention and notated on the pack slip. If you plan on sleeping in your bed the night before your shipment loads, your bedding and mattresses will be packed by the Driver with, cartons and mattress bags left by the Packer.
Pre-packing is usually done on shipments exceeding 12,000 pounds during the Peak Season, this allows for QHP’s - Mackie Packers to spread the volume of packing out during the busiest times of the Season.

Moving Day

How will I know when the Movers will arrive?
It is important that QHP Mackie Moving & Storage has all your contact information throughout the course of your move. If you have a cell phone, keep it active until after your shipment delivers, this will allow QHP to contact you 24 hours before any of your requested services to confirm start times and their duration.What is my role on Moving Day?
Ask the driver to explain the Work Order (WO) for Local moves or the Bill of Lading (BOL) for Long Distance Moves to you so you know what you are asked to sign. The Valuation area (What is QHP-Mackie's liability) is important to address and to complete before the move begins.
Identify and segregate ALL the items you will take yourself. It is good idea to have children and pets out of the home during the loading process. This will take stress off you and remove any safety related issues involving your children or pets.
Please try and secure an adequate space in front of your home for the loading process. The closer we can get to your door, the faster the process will go.
It is critical to have a safe work environment, in the winter months you need to clean the walkways to prevent injuries; this will also lessen the amount of snow that gets into your house. Rolling up rugs and removing loose items like toys is another way to make it safe.
Please have any items in crawl spaces and attics pulled out and accessible.
What happens on Moving Day?
On Move Day, the Driver is in charge and when he arrives he will introduce himself and his crew. Any important communication should happen directly with the Driver.
On Shipments involving the BOL, The QHP-Mackie Driver will attach adhesive Tags to your packed items and furniture to create Inventory Listings of these items with a description of the item and its condition when loaded at your Home.
While the Driver is doing his Inventory, his crew will place Floor Runners throughout your home. These are to protect carpets and hardwood. Floor Runners are not used on stairs as they are a safety concern. The Crew will also protect banisters and doors with pads to secure them.
The Crew will dismantle large furniture and beds then pad the pieces once they have been inventoried. Appliances are also padded to protect finishes and upholstery is stretch wrapped to prevent it becoming soiled. Any Antiques are given the attention they deserve and sometimes they require crating.
When the loading process appears complete, walk-thru your home with the Driver to make sure we have everything and there are no items missed.What should I take myself?
In any move, either Local Moving or Long Distance Moving, there are items you should take yourself.
Non-Admissible items like dangerous goods cannot go on the Moving truck. These items include anything flammable, corrosive, explosive or poisonous. Your propane tank, batteries and fire extinguishers are common items people forget to consider.
High value items like Jewellery, cash, and coin/stamp collections are first on peoples minds. Additional items include important documents and passports that should also be considered High Value because of their nature and confidentiality.
Many Customers forget medication on this list and not having them can serious endanger you or your family.
Irreplaceable items like Photo Albums need to be addressed, if you can’t take them consider scanning them so you have copies.
Firearms can be moved within Canada by your Mover, remember to discuss this with your Relocation Specialist. Specialty packing containers are available for this purpose.
Any Perishable Food or Frozen Food should be moved by you if possible. Discuss Moving Frozen Food with your Relocation Specialist.

Unloading Day

What is my role on Unloading Day?
Unloading day is very similar to loading day and much quicker. The key to an effective unload is a 2 person system from the Customers end. The first person needs to check the shipment off as it arrives in the Home, this is done by checking numbers off the Bingo Sheet that the Driver will provide to you, these numbers correspond to the tag numbers on your furniture and the inventory listings created. The second person needs to be able to see the furniture enter the home and direct the Movers where to put it.
Children and Pets should be away from the Home if possible.
The weather can play a factor in a successful unload; please refer to your responsibilities on Loading day for this.
Upon completion of unloading the truck, anything dismantled by QHP-Mackie will be reassembled when in position in the proper rooms. The Beds will be set up and the mattresses unpacked. The bedding carton will be located so you can finally sleep in your own bed again.
Cold appliances and electronics should wait 24 hours before being plugged in to control humidity.
After everything has been unloaded and assembled the Driver will ask you to sign all copies of the paperwork and supply you with your copies. Signing the paperwork does not stop you from claiming for any damaged items.

If you have any further questions about the moving process, please contact QHP Mackie Moving & Storage to discuss your needs.